Written Answers Thursday 20 July 2006

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been made by farmers and crofters to the single farm payment national reserve, broken down by (a) area covered by each SEERAD area office and (b) application category.

Ross Finnie: The information is set out in the following tables. Applicants to the National Reserve could apply under more than one category using the same application form, hence the difference in totals (5,839 applications forms received in Area Offices for 6,918 applications across all categories).

  

 Area Office
 National Reserve Applications Received


 Ayr
 767


 Benbecula
 67


 Dumfries
 588


 Elgin
 168


 Galashiels
 572


 Grampian
 852


 Hamilton
 335


 Inverness
 328


 Kirkwall
 325


 Lairg
 124


 Lerwick
 151


 Oban
 259


 Perth
 782


 Portree
 134


 Stornoway
 139


 Thurso
 248


 All
 5,839



  

 Application Category
 National Reserve Applications Received


 Consolidation
 1,815


 Dairy Farmers & Hardship
 13


 Investments
 3,803


 Leased Land
 79


 New Entrants
 832


 Purchased Leased Land
 30


 Reconversion - Milk
 181


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 96


 Transfer of Leased Land
 70


 All
 6,919

Agriculture

Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of applications from farmers and crofters to the single farm payment national reserve are still under consideration, broken down by (a) area covered by each SEERAD area office and (b) application category.

Ross Finnie: The information is set out in the following table:

  

 Area Office
 National Reserve Category
 Percentage of Applications Under Consideration by Category
 Number of Applications Under Consideration  by Category
 Total Number of Applicants
 Percentage of Applications Under Consideration by Area Office


 Ayr
 Consolidation
 37.82
 90
 
 


 Investments
 39.5
 94
 
 


 Leased Land
 0.84
 2
 
 


 New Entrants
 6.30
 15
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 0.84
 2
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 14.29
 34
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 0.42
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 238
 936
 25.43


 
 
 
 
 


 Benbecula
 Consolidation
 42.86
 3
 
 


 Investments
 42.86
 3
 
 


 New Entrants
 14.29
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 7
 79
 8.86


 Dumfries
 Consolidation
 38.72
 91
 
 


 Investments
 46.38
 109
 
 


 Leased Land
 9.09
 2
 
 


 New Entrants
 3.83
 9
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 0.43
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 9.36
 22
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-Environment 
 0.43
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 235
 715
 32.87


 Elgin
 Consolidation
 43.48
 20
 
 


 Investments
 47.83
 22
 
 


 Leased Land
 2.17
 1
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 6.52
 3
 
 


 All Categories
 
 46
 196
 23.47


 Galashiels
 Consolidation
 44.75
 81
 
 


 Investments
 47.51
 86
 
 


 Leased Land
 2.76
 5
 
 


 New Entrants
 2.76
 5
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 0.55
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 1.10
 2
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 0.55
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 181
 680
 26.62


 Grampian
 Consolidation
 40.56
 101
 
 


 Investments
 46.99
 117
 
 


 Leased Land
 0.40
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 5.62
 14
 
 


 Purchase Leased Land
 0.40
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 6.02
 15
 
 


 All Categories
 
 249
 1002
 24.85


 Hamilton
 Consolidation
 30.11
 28
 
 


 Investments
 45.16
 42
 
 


 New Entrants
 9.68
 9
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 1.08
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 12.90
 12
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 1.08
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 93
 396
 23.48


 Inverness
 Consolidation
 29.67
 27
 
 


 Investments
 50.55
 46
 
 


 Leased Land
 1.10
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 15.38
 14
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 3.30
 3
 
 


 All Categories
 
 91
 385
 23.64


 Kirkwall
 Consolidation
 40.28
 29
 
 


 Investments
 56.94
 41
 
 


 New Entrants
 1.39
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 1.39
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 72
 388
 18.55


 Lairg
 Consolidation
 50.00
 9
 
 


 Investments
 38.89
 7
 
 


 New Entrants
 11.11
 2
 
 


 All Categories
 
 18
 139
 12.95


 Lerwick
 Consolidation
 13.95
 6
 
 


 Investments
 76.74
 33
 
 


 New Entrants
 9.30
 4
 
 


 All Categories
 
 43
 167
 25.75


 Oban
 Consolidation
 25.00
 15
 
 


 Investments
 43.33
 26
 
 


 New Entrants
 18.33
 11
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 13.33
 8
 
 


 All Categories
 
 60
 311
 19.29


 Perth
 Consolidation
 31.05
 68
 
 


 Investments
 55.25
 121
 
 


 Leased Land
 1.37
 3
 
 


 New Entrants
 6.85
 15
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 5.48
 12
 
 


 All Categories
 
 219
 910
 24.07


 Portree
 Consolidation
 26.67
 4
 
 


 Investments
 60.00
 9
 
 


 New Entrants
 13.33
 2
 
 


 All
 
 15
 142
 10.56


 Stornoway
 Consolidation
 48.00
 12
 
 


 Investments
 40.00
 10
 
 


 New Entrants
 12.00
 3
 
 


 All Categories
 
 25
 188
 13.30


 Thurso
 Consolidation
 34.78
 16
 
 


 Investments
 60.87
 28
 
 


 New Entrants
 2.17
 1
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 2.17
 1
 
 


 All
 
 46
 285
 16.14

Agriculture

Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of applications from farmers and crofters to the single farm payment national reserve have been rejected, broken down by (a) area covered by each SEERAD area office and (b) application category.

Ross Finnie: The information is set out in the following table:

  

 Area Office
 National Reserve Category
 Percentage of Rejected Applications by Category
 Number of Rejected Applications by Category
 Total Number of Applicants
 Percentage of Rejected Applications by Area Office


 Ayr
 Consolidation
 18.58
 21
 
 


 Dairy Farmers & Hardship
 1.77
 2
 
 


 Investments
 25.66
 29
 
 


 Leased Land
 6.19
 7
 
 


 New Entrants
 20.35
 23
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 1.77
 2
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 7.08
 8
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 12.39
 14
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 6.19
 7
 
 


 All Categories
 
 113
 936
 12.07


 Benbecula
 Investments
 47.50
 19
 
 


 Leased Land
 7.50
 3
 
 


 New Entrants
 35
 14
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment 
 5
 2
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 5
 2
 
 


 All Categories
 
 40
 79
 50.63


 Dumfries
 Consolidation
 21.43
 18
 
 


 Dairy Farmers & Hardship
 2.38
 2
 
 


 Investments
 21.43
 18
 
 


 Leased Land
 3.57
 3
 
 


 New Entrants
 42.86
 36
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 2.38
 2
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 3.57
 3
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-Environment 
 2.38
 2
 
 


 All Categories
 
 84
 715
 11.75


 Elgin
 Consolidation
 22.22
 4
 
 


 Investments
 16.67
 3
 
 


 Leased Land
 5.56
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 33.33
 6
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 5.56
 1
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 16.67
 3
 
 


 All Categories
 
 18
 196
 9.18


 Galashiels
 Consolidation
 12.50
 12
 
 


 Dairy Farmers & Hardship
 1.04
 1
 
 


 Investments
 26.04
 25
 
 


 Leased Land
 5.21
 5
 
 


 New Entrants
 44.79
 43
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 2.08
 2
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 2.08
 2
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 1.04
 1
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 5.21
 5
 
 


 All Categories
 
 96
 680
 14.12


 Grampian
 Consolidation
 8.16
 12
 
 


 Dairy Farmers & Hardship
 2.04
 3
 
 


 Investments
 25.17
 37
 
 


 Leased Land
 4.08
 6
 
 


 New Entrants
 47.62
 70
 
 


 Purchase Leased Land
 2.04
 3
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 2.04
 3
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 2.04
 3
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 6.8
 10
 
 


 All Categories
 
 147
 1002
 14.67


 Hamilton
 Consolidation
 29.63
 8
 
 


 Investments
 18.52
 5
 
 


 New Entrants
 14.81
 4
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 11.11
 3
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 7.41
 2
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 11.11
 3
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 7.41
 2
 
 


 All Categories
 
 27
 396
 6.82


 Inverness
 Consolidation
 18.82
 16
 
 


 Dairy Farmers & Hardship
 1.18
 1
 
 


 Investments
 31.76
 27
 
 


 Leased Land
 5.88
 5
 
 


 New Entrants
 35.29
 30
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 1.18
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 1.18
 1
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 4.71
 4
 
 


 All Categories
 
 85
 385
 22.08


 Kirkwall
 Consolidation
 12.33
 9
 
 


 Dairy Farmers and Hardship
 2.74
 2
 
 


 Investments
 23.29
 17
 
 


 Leased Land
 1.37
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 20.55
 15
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 1.37
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment 
 36.99
 27
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 1.37
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 73
 388
 18.81


 Lairg
 Consolidation
 36.64
 14
 
 


 Investments
 36.84
 14
 
 


 New Entrants
 21.05
 8
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 5.26
 2
 
 


 All Categories
 
 38
 139
 27.34


 Lerwick
 Consolidation
 9.38
 3
 
 


 Investments
 21.88
 7
 
 


 Leased Land
 6.25
 2
 
 


 New Entrants
 31.25
 10
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment 
 25
 8
 
 


 Transfer of Leased land
 6.25
 2
 
 


 All categories
 
 32
 167
 19.16


 Oban
 Consolidation
 10.96
 8
 
 


 Investments
 28.77
 21
 
 


 Leased Land
 5.48
 4
 
 


 New Entrants
 38.36
 28
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 15.07
 11
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 1.37
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 73
 311
 23.47


 Perth
 Consolidation
 5.92
 9
 
 


 Investments
 38.82
 59
 
 


 Leased Land
 9.87
 15
 
 


 New Entrants
 28.29
 43
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 3.95
 6
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 5.26
 8
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 7.89
 12
 
 


 All Categories
 
 152
 910
 16.70


 Portree
 Consolidation
 9.09
 4
 
 


 Investments
 54.55
 24
 
 


 New Entrants
 34.09
 15
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 2.27
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 44
 142
 30.99


 Stornoway
 Consolidation
 2.83
 3
 
 


 Investments
 44.34
 47
 
 


 Leased land
 0.94
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 48.11
 51
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 0.94
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 0.94
 1
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 1.89
 2
 
 


 All Categories
 
 106
 188
 56.38


 Thurso
 Consolidation
 16.67
 14
 
 


 Investments
 28.57
 24
 
 


 Leased Land
 1.19
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 34.52
 29
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 1.19
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment
 14.29
 12
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 3.57
 3
 
 


 All Categories
 
 84
 285
 29.47

Agriculture

Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of applications from farmers and crofters to the single farm payment national reserve have been successful, broken down by (a) area covered by each SEERAD area office and (b) application category.

Ross Finnie: The information is set out in the following table:

  

 Area Office
 National Reserve Category
 Percentage of Successful Applications by Category
 Number of Successful Applications by Category
 Total Number of Applicants
 Percentage of Successful Applications by Area Office


 Ayr
 Consolidation
 35.9
 210
 
 


 Dairy Farmers & Hardship
 0.17
 1
 
 


 Investments
 55.73
 326
 
 


 New Entrants
 4.62
 27
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 3.25
 19
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 0.34
 2
 
 


 All Categories
 
 585
 936
 62.50


 Benbecula
 Consolidation
 6.25
 2
 
 


 Investments
 78.13
 25
 
 


 New Entrants
 15.63
 5
 
 


 All Categories
 
 32
 79
 40.51


 Dumfries
 Consolidation
 33.84
 134
 
 


 Dairy Farmers & Hardship
 0.25
 1
 
 


 Investments
 58.08
 230
 
 


 Leased Land
 0.76
 3
 
 


 New Entrants
 4.80
 19
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 2.02
 8
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-Environment 
 0.25
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 396
 715
 55.38


 Elgin
 Consolidation
 19.70
 26
 
 


 Investments
 75.00
 99
 
 


 New Entrants
 4.55
 6
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 132
 196
 67.35


 Galashiels
 Consolidation
 26.05
 105
 
 


 Investments
 66.50
 268
 
 


 Leased Land
 0.50
 2
 
 


 New Entrants
 5.96
 24
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 0.25
 1
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 0.50
 2
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 0.25
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 403
 680
 59.26


 Grampian
 Consolidation
 24.75
 150
 
 


 Investments
 66.17
 401
 
 


 Leased Land
 0.17
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 7.76
 471
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 0.83
 5
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 0.33
 2
 
 


 All Categories
 
 606
 1002
 60.48


 Hamilton
 Consolidation
 34.06
 94
 
 


 Investments
 60.14
 166
 
 


 New Entrants
 3.62
 10
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 2.17
 6
 
 


 All Categories
 
 276
 396
 69.70


 Inverness
 Consolidation
 24.88
 52
 
 


 Investments
 65.07
 136
 
 


 New Entrants
 9.57
 20
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 0.48
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 209
 385
 54.29


 Kirkwall
 Consolidation
 31.69
 77
 
 


 Investments
 61.73
 150
 
 


 New Entrants
 6.17
 15
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk 
 0.41
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 243
 388
 62.62


 Lairg
 Consolidation
 26.51
 22
 
 


 Investments
 59.04
 49
 
 


 New Entrants
 14.46
 12
 
 


 All Categories
 
 83
 139
 59.71


 Lerwick
 Consolidation
 6.52
 6
 
 


 Investments
 82.61
 76
 
 


 New Entrants
 9.78
 9
 
 


 Reconversion - Agri-environment 
 1.09
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 92
 167
 55.09


 Oban
 Consolidation
 15.73
 28
 
 


 Investments
 75.28
 134
 
 


 Leased Land
 1.12
 2
 
 


 New Entrants
 7.30
 13
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 0.56
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 178
 311
 57.23


 Perth
 Consolidation
 19.85
 107
 
 


 Investments
 70.69
 381
 
 


 Leased Land
 0.19
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 7.61
 41
 
 


 Reconversion - Milk
 1.30
 7
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 0.37
 2
 
 


 All
 
 539
 910
 59.23


 Portree
 Consolidation
 18.07
 15
 
 


 Investments
 67.47
 56
 
 


 New Entrants
 14.46
 12
 
 


 All Categories
 
 83
 142
 58.45


 Stornoway
 Consolidation
 7.02
 4
 
 


 Investments
 54.39
 31
 
 


 Leased land
 1.75
 1
 
 


 New Entrants
 36.84
 21
 
 


 All Categories
 
 57
 188
 30.32


 Thurso
 Consolidation
 18.06
 28
 
 


 Investments
 67.74
 105
 
 


 New Entrants
 12.90
 20
 
 


 Purchase of Leased Land
 0.65
 1
 
 


 Transfer of Leased Land
 0.65
 1
 
 


 All Categories
 
 155
 285
 67

Agriculture

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-26773 and SW2-26744 by Rhona Brankin on 23 June 2006, whether it will provide a breakdown by (a) breed and (b) township of the number of bulls hired to crofters in (i) 2004, (ii) 2005 and (iii) 2006 under the interim arrangements following withdrawal of the Bull Hire Scheme, also showing which breeds were ordered by each township.

Rhona Brankin: Tables providing information on the bulls hired under the Bull Hire Scheme in seasons 2004 and 2005, and the interim arrangements in 2006 are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 40070).

  All townships hiring a bull received the breed of their choice.

Agriculture

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26773 by Rhona Brankin on 23 June 2006, how many bulls were considered to have poor estimated breeding value in (a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006, broken down by breed.

Rhona Brankin: Information on cattle breeding values over the 2004-2006 period is not available.

  The following table shows the percentage of bulls within each of the four breeds within the stud (for which we have information) which fall into the top 10%, top 25%, below average and bottom 10% of their breed. This is calculated for two key factors; Beef Value and Calving Value.

  Table: Beef and Calving Value Rating of the Scheme Bulls in relation to 2002 Breed Averages

  

 
 Charolais
 Aberdeen Angus
 Limousin
 Simmental
 Overall 4 breeds


Beef ValueTop 10%
14%
 14%
 20%
 30%
 20%


 Top 25%
 43%
 51%
 40%
 60%
 45%


 Below Average
 50%
 32%
 35%
 30%
 35%


 Bottom 10%
 21%
 5%
 4%
 0
 5%


Calving ValueTop 10%
7%
 22%
 15%
 13%
 15%


 Top 25%
 21%
 43%
 31%
 27%
 32%


 Below Average
79%
54%
67%
73%
67%


 Bottom 10%
 14%
 16%
 27%
 27%
 24%



  Beef value is generally above average (35% are below average) with 45% of the bulls in the top 25% of the breed.

  67% of the Commission bulls are below average for their breed and approximately a quarter are in the bottom 10%.

  These figures suggest that there is tremendous scope for improving the genetic gain which the scheme passes on to crofters.

Angling

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why recreational sea anglers have not been offered representation on the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.

Ross Finnie: The role of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) has been to advise on commercial fisheries in Scotland’s inshore waters. This is reflected in the Group’s membership. As part of the continuing implementation of the Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland, a review of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group’s function, structure and membership is ongoing. The review is expected to conclude later this year.

Central Heating Programme

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes in (a) Angus and (b) Aberdeenshire have benefited from the free central heating programme since 2001, broken down by housing sector.

Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond.

  Her response is as follows:

  
The information held by Eaga Partnership for the number of heating installations carried out under the central heating programme in the private sector is only available at main postcode level. The number of properties which have benefited from the central heating programme since 2001 to March 2006 is shown in Table 1:


  Table 1

  

 Financial Year
 Postcode area : AB
 Postcode area : DD


 2001-2002 
 161
 490


 2002-2003
 415
 434


 2003-2004
 754
 591


 2004-2005 
 913
 703


 2005-06
 936
 589


 Total 
 3,179
 2,807



  The number of heating installations carried out by Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords under the Central Heating Programme is shown in table 2:

  Table 2

  

 Financial Year
 Aberdeenshire Council
 Angus Council


 2001-2002 
 0
 12


 2002-2003
 0
 0


 2003-2004
 2
 180


 2004-2005 
 0
 0


 Total 
 2
 192



  The programme in these sectors was completed in 2004-05.

Environmental Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, when it will publish the details, eligibility criteria and application procedures in respect of the Environmental Justice Fund.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, what criteria it will set for applications to the Environmental Justice Fund.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, who will manage the Environmental Justice Fund on the Executive’s behalf.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, how it will solicit applications to the Environmental Justice Fund.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, which bodies or individuals will be eligible for funding under the Environmental Justice Fund.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, how organisations or individuals will be able to apply for funding under the Environmental Justice Fund.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, how the Environmental Justice Fund will be spent.

Rhona Brankin: The aims and conditions of the Environmental Justice Fund will be settled after Ministers have considered the findings of our review on the range of funding available for local environmental regeneration projects.

Environmental Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26678 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, whether the £1 million available in the Environmental Justice Fund applies to the current calendar or fiscal year.

Rhona Brankin: The provision is for the financial year to end March 2007.

Forestry

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list by (a) forest, (b) type of project and (c) level of investment, each timber transport infrastructure project that has received, or has been approved to receive, financial assistance from the Scottish Strategic Timber Transport Fund and, if no such projects have been supported or approved for support, whether it will indicate in which financial year it anticipates that this fund will be used for the primary purpose for which it was established.

Rhona Brankin: On 31 May 2006, I announced the first four awards totalling £420,400 from the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme:

  
1. Programme Manager/Facilitator for Stirling and Tayside areas: awarded £25,000 of £34,000 project costs.
2. SKOTKA South of Scotland timber logistics programme: awarded £ 68,900 of £473,000 project costs.(a project with national value to the timber haulage sector, with work based in south west Scotland)
3. Programme Manager/Co-ordinator for Argyll: awarded £94,000 of £152,000 project costs.
4. Study into the performance of forest and public roads under timber transport traffic: awarded £232,500 of £336,500 project costs (a project with national value to the timber haulage sector and local authorities, with work based in south west Scotland).


  It is through the Scheme that applicants can obtain financial support from the Strategic Timber Transport Fund if the criteria are met. The aim of the Fund is to facilitate the sustainable transport of timber in rural areas of Scotland for the benefit of local communities and the environment.

  Another project seeking some £2.2 million of £3.2 million project costs, in Dumfries and Galloway, is being discussed between the applicant and Forestry Commission Scotland who manage the Scheme on behalf of the Executive.

  A second tranche of applications received on 22 June, representing bids for £3.1 million of £4.7 million project costs, is currently being assessed. Six of the applications are for capital works, both rail and road based.

  The geographical spread of the seven applications is:

  

 Area
 Number of Applications


 Highland
 2


 Argyll
 3


 Highland Perthshire
 1


 South west Scotland
 1



  Dates of the further rounds of applications are given in the user guidance, with the closing date for the next round being 31 August 2006.

Social Work

Mrs Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its implementation plan for Changing Lives: Report of the 21st Century Social Work Review.

Peter Peacock: The Changing Lives Implementation Plan is published today, 28 June 2006. The plan sets out details of the approach to implementation we propose to take and announces the first tranche of funding, £4 million in the remainder of this financial year and rising to £11 million in 2007-08 with further sums to come in subsequent years. The implementation plan will be a key driver of necessary change to bring about improvement in social work services. A new website to support implementation is also launched at: www.socialworkscotland.org.uk . Copies of the plan are available in the Parliaments Reference Centre (Bib. number 39919).